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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that increase the risk of primary liver cancer include:
- Your sex. Men are more likely to develop liver cancer than are women.
- Your age. In North America, Europe and Australia, liver cancer most commonly affects older adults. In developing countries of Asia and Africa, liver cancer diagnosis tends to occur at a younger age — between 20 and 50.
- Chronic infection with HBV or HCV. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases your risk of liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis. This progressive and irreversible condition causes scar tissue to form in your liver and increases your chances of developing liver cancer.
- Certain inherited liver diseases. Liver diseases that can increase the risk of liver cancer include hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis and Wilson's disease.
- Diabetes. People with this blood sugar disorder have a greater risk of liver cancer than do people who don't have diabetes.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. An accumulation of fat in the liver increases the risk of liver cancer.
- Exposure to aflatoxins. Consuming foods contaminated with fungi that produce aflatoxins greatly increases the risk of liver cancer. Crops such as corn and peanuts can become contaminated with aflatoxins.
- Excessive alcohol consumption. Consuming more than a moderate amount of alcohol can lead to irreversible liver damage and increase your risk of liver cancer.
- Obesity. Having an unhealthy body mass index increases the risk of liver cancer.
References
- Marrero JA, et al. Modern diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2009;13:233.
- What you need to know about liver cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/liver/allpages/print. Accessed May 13, 2009.
- Weber S, et al. Liver and bile duct cancer. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1569.
- Hepatobiliary cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/hepatobiliary.pdf. Accessed May 13, 2009.
- What is liver cancer? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_liver_cancer_25.asp?sitearea=. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Liver cancer: Questions to ask the doctor. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Liver+Cancer. Accessed May 13, 2009.
- Nguyen CT, et al. Hepatitis vaccination and prophylaxis. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2009;13:317.
- Hepatitis C. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/info/hepatitisc/. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Bruix J, et al. AASLD practice guideline: Management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 2005;42:1208.
